on December 12, 2012 1:26 AM

Photo: San Antonio Express-News file photo

Image 1of/15

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 15

We totally understand if you have 12 on the brain today, what with it marking that unique 12/12/12 on the calendar. But there's something special about that number that goes beyond our day planners, much less our wall clocks, rose bouquets or egg cartons.

Words by René A. Guzman, rguzman@express-news.net; Twitter: @reneguz

Photos, clockwise from top left: Clock in the guest room of Jean and Rob Blount. Helen L. Montoya, San Antonio Express-News; Roses wait to be placed in a Valentine's Day arrangement at Village Flowery in Houston. Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle; A grocery clerk checks a dozen eggs at JJ&F Market in Palo Alto, Calif. Paul Sakuma, Associated Press.

We totally understand if you have 12 on the brain today, what with it marking that unique 12/12/12 on the calendar. But there's something special about that number that goes beyond our day planners, much less

We totally understand if you have 12 on the brain today, what with... Photo-3879712.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 2 of 15

Think of 12 as having a mathematical magic that factors into more than just your everyday dozen.

"The number 12 shows up a lot in ancient and medieval weights and measurement systems. Probably even dates back to the Mesopotamian times," says Mary Wagner-Krankel, chair of the mathematics department at St. Mary's University. "Most of those cultures tried to tie everything to the growing season and things of that nature. That's probably why our calendar looks the way it does."

Photo: In this combination of two images the interior of the medieval Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by trails of candles carried by choristers during the annual 'darkness to light' advent procession on Dec. 1, 2012, in Salisbury, England.

Think of 12 as having a mathematical magic that factors into more... Photo-3879711.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 15

Then there are the number's more spiritual connections. And we don't mean numerology.

"In the Bible the significance of the number 12 is that it represents divine authority and appointment," Wagner-Krankel says, noting 12 is found more than 180 times in the Bible, including the number of Jesus' apostles and his age when he first appeared to the public.

Then there are the number's more spiritual connections. And... Photo-3879710.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 4 of 15

Of course, it's hard to resist any number that repeats three times in one date, especially if you're lovebirds. Just ask the thousands of couples who tied the knot on 7/7/07 — and 8/8/08, 9/9/09, etc.

Bexar County Clerk Gerard Rickhoff marries couples all the time. He noticed a spike in "I do's" last year for Nov. 11 (as in 11/11/11.) City Hall doesn't have any front-step nuptials planned today, but Rickhoff still expects a larger-than-usual number of Dec. 12 weddings this year.

"It really awakened me to the reality that people do look at these numbers (to) … bring some enhancement to their relationship," Rickhoff says.

Photo: Seven lucky brides — Vernoica Gutierrez, Stephanie De Los Reyes, Gina Beaulieu, Geraldine Smith, Jessica Torres, Shelly Reaser and Kimberly Cruse — stand along with cartoon characters from Fiesta Texas after being married by a justice of the peace at the San Antonio theme park July 7, 2007.

Of course, it's hard to resist any number that repeats three... Photo-3879708.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 5 of 15

Here are a dozen more special relationships to the number 12:

In mythology and religion. The ancient Greeks worshipped 12 major gods of Olympus, plus sang the cheers of the 12 labors of Hercules. And as noted earlier, Christianity has the 12 apostles of Jesus — not to mention the 12 days of Christmas.

Judaism has the 12 sons of the Jewish forefather Jacob, who founded the 12 tribes of Israel. And followers of Shia Islam note that the prophet Muhammad has 12 successors called Imams.

Photo: Aphrodite statues are seen at the "Aphrodite and the Gods of Love" exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art on Sept. 10, 2012.

Here are a dozen more special relationships to the number 12:... Photo-3879707.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 6 of 15

Guiding principles. Alcoholics Anonymous has the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to overcome addiction. The Twelve Steps guide the individual in AA, while the Twelve Traditions govern the AA group.

Photo: Ira Schechtel and his wife, Catherine, give each other a goodbye kiss in front of La Villita "Sober City" as they part ways to go to different events during the International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous on July 2, 2010.

12 in time. Besides 12 months making a year, the number also evenly splits the day by the 12-hour clock and divides evenly into 60 minutes and 60 seconds. And for those who consult the stars with their daily calendar, there are 12 astrological signs in the Western and Chinese zodiacs.

Photo: Mosaic of the Zodiac wheel at the center of the ancient synagogue in Bet Alfa.

12 in time. Besides 12 months making a year, the number also evenly splits the day by the 12-hour clock and divides evenly into 60 minutes and 60 seconds. And for those who consult the stars with their daily

12 in time. Besides 12 months making a year, the number also... Photo-3879709.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 8 of 15

The 12th Man at Texas A&M University. The Aggie tradition dates back to January, 2, 1922, when student E. King Gill got called out of the stands to suit up for an injury-riddled A&M football team down to 11 players. Gill never left the sidelines, and A&M went on to beat Centre College 22-14. The gesture lives on with A&M's student body representing that 12th player.

Photo: A statue of the original 12th man, E. King Gill, stands in front of Texas A&M's Kyle Field.

The 12th Man at Texas A&M University. The Aggie tradition dates back to January, 2, 1922, when student E. King Gill got called out of the stands to suit up for an injury-riddled A&M football team down to 11

The Cowboys never forget No. 12. Before he turned joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969, Roger Staubach wore the No. 12 on his Naval Academy jersey. The academy retired his jersey at his graduation ceremony. The Cowboys don't officially retire jersey numbers. However, the franchise has never reissued the jersey No. 12, which the Hall of Fame quarterback wore for Dallas until 1979.

Photo: Staubach rolls out of the pocket during a Cowboys game in the 1979 season.

The Cowboys never forget No. 12. Before he turned joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969, Roger Staubach wore the No. 12 on his Naval Academy jersey. The academy retired his jersey at his graduation ceremony. The

San Antonio's own No. 12 in the rafters. In March, the... Photo-3879703.53772 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 11 of 15

Three times the "Angry Men." Reginald Rose's powerful 1954 teleplay "Twelve Angry Men" was also rewritten for the stage in 1955 with the same name and then as the 1957 movie "12 Angry Men" starring Henry Fonda.

Photo: Jack Lemmon (far left), the lone juror among 12 who holds out for innocence in a capital murder case, stars in a television revival of "Twelve Angry Men." Standing from left to right are Mykelti Williamson, James Gandolfini, Tony Danza, Edward James Olmos, William Peterson, Ossie Davis and Courtney B. Vance. Seated from left to right are Lemmon, George C. Scott, Hume Cronyn, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Dorian Harewood.

Three times the "Angry Men." Reginald Rose's powerful 1954 teleplay "Twelve Angry Men" was also rewritten for the stage in 1955 with the same name and then as the 1957 movie "12 Angry Men" starring Henry Fonda.